Fossil Fuel Formation Quiz

Fossil Fuel Formation

• Fossil fuels, including crude oil, natural gas, and coal, are formed from the remains of plants and animals that died millions of years ago.
• This process takes a very long time, and the rate at which we're currently using these resources is faster than the rate of their creation.
• Fossil fuels are non-renewable resources, meaning they are not being replenished or are being made at a very slow rate, and once they are depleted, they cannot be replaced.

Crude Oil and Natural Gas Formation

• Millions of years ago, microscopic marine organisms and plants died and sank to the ocean floor.
• Layers of sediment covered these remains, increasing pressure and temperature over time.
• The remains were chemically transformed into crude oil and natural gas.
• This process required anaerobic (lack of oxygen) conditions.
• Oil migrated through permeable rock.
• It became trapped when it encountered impermeable rock.
• Oil companies extract oil by drilling through the impermeable rock.
• Crude oil is then processed into usable products like petrol and diesel.

Coal Formation

• Coal formed from dead plants approximately 300 million years ago.
• Plant debris accumulated in swamps or on seabeds.
• Sedimentation buried the debris, protecting it from air and slowing decomposition.
• The basin gradually sank, increasing temperature and pressure.
• Pressure and heat over millions of years transformed plant remains into coal.

Energy Classification

• Energy resources are classified as either renewable or non-renewable.
• Renewable energy sources replenish naturally (e.g., biofuels, geothermal, hydro, tidal, wave, solar, wind power).
• Non-renewable energy sources are depleted when used (e.g. fossil fuels, nuclear power).

Fossil Fuels: Coal

• Advantages: Cheap to mine, convert to electricity, lasts longer than other fossil fuels.
• Disadvantages: Atmospheric pollutants (including greenhouse gases) are produced when burned.

Fossil Fuels: Oil

• Advantages: Cheap to extract, used in industry and transportation.
• Disadvantages: Atmospheric pollutants (including greenhouse gases) are produced when burned. Limited supply.

Fossil Fuels: Natural Gas

• Advantages: Relatively cheap, Used for heating and cooking, cleaner fuel than coal and oil.
• Disadvantages: Atmospheric pollutants (including greenhouse gases) are produced when burned. Limited supply.

Nuclear Fuels

• Advantages: Does not produce carbon dioxide or sulfur dioxide when used.
• Disadvantages: Non-renewable, potential for accidents with radioactive waste.

Renewable Energy Sources

• Wind Energy: Capturing wind energy using turbines to produce electricity.
• Water Energy (Hydroelectricity): Using falling water to produce electricity. Wave energy, Tidal energy, Water power in dams are examples of water energy.
• Geothermal Energy: Using hot water and steam from the Earth's interior to produce electricity.
• Solar Energy: Harnessing sunlight to produce electricity (solar panels) or for heating (solar panels).

Biofuels(Biomass)**

• Using plant or animal waste to generate energy.